About Ali

Hey! I’m Ali, and I am so happy that you found your way here to Gimme Some Oven!

I created this little corner of the internet as a celebration of life shared around the table, and specifically, the recipes that bring us all together. Because really, most of my favorite memories in life tend to take place around one table or another. From cozy weeknight date nights in with our favorite garlicky pasta, to impromptu happy hours after work with friends toasting the world’s best margaritas, to decades of Christmas Day dinners fighting over the last slice of Grandma’s pecan pie, to bringing pans of my favorite chicken enchiladas to friends after surgeries, to introducing our hundredth friend to the brilliance that is nooch popcorn — life has convinced me that good food shared with good people is simply the best.

And of course, all the better when that food is quick and easy to make, seasonally inspired, lightened up a bit, and wildly delicious — right?

If that sounds like your style, you’ve got a kindred spirit right here. ♡

A bit about me.

When I began this blog back in 2009, I was working as a full-time musician by day and cooking up a storm by night. Now, I have the privilege of getting to work on this blog full-time from my little kitchen in Barcelona, writing and photographing and creating recipes that will hopefully make their way into your home as well. I love what I do, and love all of you, and love this crazy world wide web that brings us together.

I’m a Kansas City girl who recently had some friends set me up on a blind date with the guy of my dreams…and then fell head over heels in love with him…and then married him♡♡♡…and then together, we decided to follow our craziest dreams and move to Spain in the fall of 2018. Now we’re livin’ the expat life together in the heart of Barcelona making a new home here with our two pups, and we’re soaking it all up. Life has a way of changing in a heartbeat. And I’m so thankful for this new season that has been filled with so much love and light.

As you’ll come to find, I also have a deep love of travel, and love setting out on adventures as often as possible, especially while we’re living in such close proximity to somany of the places on my European bucket list. So if you follow along with our life behind the scenes, don’t be surprised if the scenery changes often. But here at home? My favorite things in life tend to always revolve around good friends, studying Spanish, Barre3, Mexican food, the Enneagram, playing music, and making food for people I love. Oh, and snuggling with our cute pups as often as possible.

A bit about the blog.

Another love in my life is this space right here.

I actually started this blog on a total whim back in 2009 when I was beginning to cook more and more, and wanted a place to organize and keep track of my favorite recipes. It was a total hobby for me. And as you can see if you take a scroll back through the archives, ha, I still had lots to learn back in those early days. 😂 But the more I began blogging, the more I enjoyed learning about photography and recipe development and writing. And the more I began to find my own style of cooking, and the values and rhythms and ingredients that felt true to me. And through it all — thanks to the miracle of this crazy world wide web — I started seeing more and more of you give these recipes a try for yourself. Which I still say is the absolute coolest thing ever.

Truly. Back when I was in college, food blogs didn’t even exist! Let alone, have the potential to support full-time incomes.

But over time, this site grew to the point where I was able to leave my previous job as a musician and work on cultivating this space full-time. And for that — and especially for all of you who tune in week after week, month after month, year after year — I am deeply grateful. I take very seriously the trust that you all place in these recipes, and love working on new ones that will hopefully be total winners when passed around your own tables. So whenever I see you tag a recipe on Instagram or read a comment that you made and loved a recipe, welp, just know that you’ve downright made my day. Absolutely love it.

A bit about my food philosophy.

So what kinds of recipes will you see on Gimme Some Oven?

I always used to struggle with the fact that this blog didn’t really have a “niche”, especially having heard from so many experts claim that blogs couldn’t be successful without one. But here’s the thing — I blog the way I cook. And I really enjoy cooking a little bit of everything!

I love the balance of improvising a stir-fry one day, and then measuring the precise amounts of ingredients for a meringue the next. I love adding as many greens and veggies to my plate as possible, and then maybe indulging in a fudgy brownie for dessert. I love cooking as seasonally as possible, yet will cave for a good pint of fresh blackberries at the store any day of the year. I love dinners that take less than 30 minutes to cook most nights of the week, and then enjoying a glass of wine as I babysit a slow-cooking pan of paella on a Saturday.

A little bit of everything. All things in moderation. All of that good stuff.

That said, without a doubt, most of the recipes on this site generally fall into the quick, easy, seasonal, and lightened-up category. And while I still eat meat, we cook plant-based recipes most of the time at home nowadays (especially thanks to marrying a vegetarian), so you may notice that proteins are becoming less and less common around here. Otherwise, you’ll find that the blog generally has a pretty good balance of recipes showing up here in a given month. And as always, if you ever have any recipe requests, don’t hesitate to let me know! I love making them happen!

Finally…

For more info about blogging, photography, and life behind the scenes, feel free to check out my FAQ page, which I try to constantly update. And if you haven’t already, feel free to subscribe to our YouTube channel, where we’re now posting new videos regularly about life behind the scenes, in addition to lots of yummy food videos. And of course, always feel free to follow along and come say hi on Insta too. ♡

More than anything, I just want to say thank you so much for being here, and hope that this site can play some small part in making your days a little brighter and tastier. Cheers!

348 comments on “About Ali”

Okay, it’s official, you are my favorite go-to site for recipes! (It pains me to tell Ina that she’s now #2). I can’t tell you how many of your recipes I’ve made and I’ve never had one I didn’t like! I just made your slow cooker black bean soup and dinner rolls as part of my dinner, very good! I hate conventional salads and you have so many really, really good ones! (Sorry, my extended family now calls asks me to make MY Ramen noodle salad!) I have referred quite a few friends to your site for great, fresh recipes. So keep doing what you’re doing, it makes the rest of us look good!

Hello, I just tried you “best ever” enchiladas and made your enchilada sauce from scratch as well..OMG you were not kidding, I don’t think I have had better at an actual Mexican restaurant..So impressed. I never have liked the store bought enchilada sauce but this one was amazing…I look forward to trying more of your recipes for sure !!

Thank you for sharing how your man makes every occasion is a date. I lost my husband 3 years ago this coming April 2nd, we had date night every week, I think about it now when I am sitting alone, how I miss those dates after 43 1/2 years of marriage. I really appreciate your sharing of this information, it made Friday night a little more bearable knowing you were having a date today or tomorrow.

Thank you so much Ali for your beautiful and captivating website. The pictures are so startling that I read recipes that I normally would not even look at, such as “Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas”. I was lured onto your website by a picture of you Overnight Cinnamon Rolls recipe and I am hooked. The beautiful vibrant colors have made me make a pledge to myself. I am making a list of vegetables I want to start using again and I PROMISED myself that on my next shopping trip I am going to shop first for veggies and then add in healthy meats. I will also add some new spices and herbs. My husband Chris and I had been eating much more healthy lately until we had a recent setback. Chris fell on December 22 and broke his ankle horribly and lay in the flour for 4 hours until I returned home. He had mistakenly left his phone in his jacket pocket hanging on the back of a chair in our kitchen and he could not reach it. Long story short, there have been multiple hospital stays, surgery redone, wound therapy, numerous doctor visits that have brought our lives to a halt since his fall. We are now still facing 2 more months of hopefully improved healing. Friends and family have been providing meals but,the great part is both our appetites are picking back up and your beautiful website has made me long to “cook with thought again”. I promise my next email will not be so long, but if I may I would like to let you know how it goes when I try some of your recipes. The first will be your “Chicken Bacon and Avocado Salad”. I am saving the Cinnamon Rolls for a Thank you brunch I plan to have for friends at a later date. THANKS FOR YOUR INSPIRATION! Belinda

I am a mother of four older children. Only 2 teenager boys at home now. My New Year’s resolution was to start making at least one new recipe a month. I found your web site and it has been amazing!
I snap chat with my kids. One morning before going to work I snapped the story preparing your slow cooker chicken enchilada soup. It was easy to make and made a fun snap story. My boys LOVED it!!!
My daughter in college called and said, mom I need that recipe. I want to have friends over and it looked easy to do. She made it and her friends loved it so much they made it again the next day.
Keep up the good recipes! Mary from Bismarck ND

Hi Ali,
I’d like to try the non-bake energy bites but I need more protein in them.
I think people often add protein powder, usually vanilla; can you suggest how much protein powder should be added, please?
Thanks,
Tim

Hi Tim! You could add some protein powder to these, and we would just suggest one scoop. You may need to add a bit more liquid to the mixture though (a little more peanut butter and/or water, just to achieve the right consistency). We hope this helps and that you enjoy them!

Hi, Ali,
Congrats on the recent nuptials! As a fellow (and now former) Kansas City girl, I’m really enjoying your references to all that KC has to offer (and recognize all most of all of them). I’m back on the East coast now, but sure do miss KC. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog and all your recipes. Your my “go to” website that I visit on most days, especially when I’m needing a new idea for dinner!
Thanks again, Ali! Enjoy the belated honeymoon!
Kim

I love your recipes! I have severe food allergies, which makes it difficult to find recipes that are gluten free, soy free and vegan. Is there a way to be able to add a “Allergy friendly” category to your search options?
Or, do you have any recommendations for me?
Thanks,
Lisa

Wow, sounds incredible Ali. I am a single female discovering how important healthy and FUN eating is! I am not a techie at all (don’t even own a Smart phone; no T.V. for over 10 years through choice – I can download anything on my laptop, right?!!), but really enjoy reading about interesting topics online, and love your great recipes! I am leery of subscribing to most things online as I really guard my privacy, loathe fake people and excessive promoting, have a limited income and actually often times prefer to read real BOOKS!. But you strike me as a real person, who truly walks your talk so I shall subscribe! Eek! thanks for your great blog:)

Hey Ali!
My name is Cyndi and I’m a native Arizonan. I guess they call us Zoni’s? :) Anyway, my wonderful husband and I live in Fountain Hills and I’ve been using your recipes for about 2 years now so I figured it was high time I introduce myself.
I love everything about you and your life and your new husband and your dogs! We have 2 dogs…Annie (our golden retriever) and Drama, yes you heard right…Drama (our female rescue border collie mix). Trust me, the name fits the dog, ha! And I LOVE that you guys took a leap of faith and moved to Barcelona.
I’m half Spanish, half English. My mom’s family came from Madrid, Spain and my dad’s from Cornwall, England. Nice mix.
Anyway, you are simply ADORABLE & BEAUTIFUL and I always look forward to your recipes.

Thank you for providing this blog. It is my first time visiting and the recipe you provided for baked chicken was great. Although I am over 50, after many years of eating out or fast food, I want to learn to be a good cook. This was a very nice place to start.

Hello! I have followed your site for a while and made several of your yummy recipes. I recently signed up for your newsletter and loved seeing the highlights of your trip to Madrid and that you’re living now in Barcelona. I am an American living in nearby Luxembourg with my family, going on 2 years now. I LOVE living in Europe, but definitely agree, there is a lot to learn and understand – culturally, politically and bureacratically. :)

I’m a dietitian and mom, and love cooking. Keep those amazing recipes coming. And if you ever want to visit Luxembourg, let me know. I’d be happy to show you around!

Hi ali,
Love the blog and all things cera de espana! I’m trying to find your recs for Barcelona and can’t find them on your blog. What’s a good hotel or ABnB in Barcelona.We’ll be there for about 5-days and are fairly good travelers Trying to avoid the ramblas area and something near public transportation. Also, are the beaches good? worth packing a bathing suit for late May?
I also live in the midwest and frequent KCTY.
Thanks.
PS …and the list of favorite restaurants in Barcelona….? Can’t wait to read it.

Hi Ali,
I just happened to stumble on your site, and I’m so happy I found you!
I just love all of your recipes, I was just searching for some great vegan recipes, and I’ve found so much more!!
Some of your recipes look so easy to make , and I don’t need to go out and buy special ingredients like some sites I’ve been on!!
Thank you so much,, I’ll definitely be a regular on your site!!

Hi Ali,
I’ve followed your blog for a couple years now and I absolutely love it. I’m reaching out to you because I’m meeting my sis-in-law in Kansas City in March for a girl’s weekend and I wanted to know what things are MUST SEES.
I want to stay in/close to the Plaza, we love to eat, walk and shop of course(currently I’m on a vegan diet due to health reasons…)

I’m so happy and thankful that I found your blog! I love your recipes and hope to one day find my niche too. I’m currently the Director of Food Services for a public school district. I came from a large corporation as a Catering Director. I have always loved food and people just like yourself! I agree that great food brings people together. I am currently encorporating my style and love for simple, clean and nutritious food in my cafeterias but I sometimes find it a challenge. My goal is to change school lunch and introduce my kind of eating such as kale salads, Asian, Latin. Dishes etc. Thank you so much for your inspirational blog!!

I’m so excited to have found your blog! I have a request, if I may be so bold. My grandmother used to make an Apple Pan Dowdy, which I can closely replicate, but she served it with a thick, warm lemon sauce that I cannot find anywhere! Do you perhaps have such a recipe in your treasure trove, and would you be without to share it?
Best Regards
Linda Brink

I’m not sure how I found your blog, I was just wandering around the interwebs and fell into it. I’m now looking forward to exploring it more thoroughly. I was rather thrilled to see you’re originally from KC. I’m in St. Joseph. Howdy neighbor!

Every time I think I’ve found a fellow foodie things have a way turning around. You started out cooking for one. A philosophy I could embrace! Now you have married (a veggie person no less) and moved to Spain(dream come true)and are off on a new and exciting adventure. I have quite a few of your recipes pinned. I think I’ll stick around for a while and see where it leads. Just please don’t kale and coconut oil me to tears.You now live in Spain and endless food opportunities await you. The food history there has got to be an exciting experience for you! Best wishes and keep blogging for the 1’s, Ones, that are still here. (Sharing extra food in a Senior Complex is easy!) So bring on those recipes. We will all visit the flavors of Spain through you. Barb

I am enjoying your blog and wonderful recipes. Would you mind sharing the name of the company that handled your apartment rental? I am moving to Barcelona in the Fall to teach for a semester and having some difficulty choosing an apartment. Also, I am trying to make some expat connections – do you have any groups that you would suggest joining? Thanks, Kathryn

I found your blog by searching up photography set ups. I really can’t thank you enough for sharing that. It’s nice to see someone using very inexpensive things and basic equipment and still achieving good shots. Being that I am an amateur photographer and on a very tight budget this was very inspiring.

Hi Ali,
I am an ex-pat (Brit) living in Wisconsin, had the good luck to stay in Barcelona two years ago for two weeks, we rented an Air B n B apartment, owned by a French Guy in the El Born district, my most favorite place on our whole trip. Loved walking around the alleyways and we had the balconies that opened up with huge french doors.. We were quite close to La Musica Theatre.. We will go back someday. So glad I stumbled across your blog. thank you x Mary.

Hola Ali!
My boyfriend marinated chicken to BBQ, but the wind advisory was so strong and a fire hazard here in San Diego, CA USA I texted him on his lunch break, “How about you text me when you are on your way home from work and I will bake the chicken?”
So that led me to Googling, “Baked chicken”. ”
“Gimme some oven” was about the 7th on the list, but I clicked on it first because I loved the fun title play on gimme some luvin.
Family members never taught me how to cook and I was Vegan when single so it was really helpful to have the short video and explanation of a meat thermometer! Thank you for sharing your love of cooking in a blog.
Holly Ann, SAG AFTRA

I love reading your blog and recipes. I became interested because my husband and I will be visiting Barcelona in June. I’ve heard so much about the food/wine tasting tours and wonder if you have any suggestions. Thanks for sharing your dream life with us, Beth

Dear Ali
Glad to have found you from “the little red dot- Singapore”. Across the globe say 10,000 miles away.
We were expats residing in USA Chicago from 1987- autumn 1994 and have since returned home to continue our careers, Paul in shipping and myself with the National Parks Board developing / creating regional & city Parks for the public.

It was such a coincidence our food styles from food presentation to colours, sunbeam personality and lifestyle are somewhat similar.
My family made mixed frozen mixed berries with coconut water this morning and had wanted to find out the number of calories but we found your blog instead.

Congratulations you are in a happy place and wishing you much happiness.
As life brings us to different pathways we each endeavour, wishing you many friends and trouble few.

What a pleasure to read a heartfelt blog. I just found your site while looking for an enchilada recipe. Haven’t even tried it yet. I usually take a look at what I have in the refrig and then go from there. Going to try your Best Chicken Enchiladas Ever.
Actually I am a retired music teacher in the public schools and now playing my violin/fiddle for fun mostly. I never really learned to cook but now having fun downloading recipes. BTW: What is Paella and how do you pronounce it?

Thank you for helping me cook the best boneless skinless chicken breast I have ever cooked! My family loved it! I love to cook for my large family and always need new ideas. I need things that can stay warm and are easy to prepare early and don’t require tons of ingredients. We love to cook! Thanks for a great blog. Trying something else tomorrow!!
Columbus, GA